Meeting of the Board of Regents | December 2008
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THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234 |
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Kathy A. Ahearn |
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Charter Applications for December 2008
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December 3, 2008
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Goal 2
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Summary
Issue for Decision
Approval of charter applications.
Reason(s) for Consideration
Required by State statute (Education Law §216).
Proposed Handling
Discussion and approval in accordance with the respective recommendations contained in the attached summaries of charter applications.
Procedural History
N/A
Background Information
Summary recommendations have been prepared for a total of 32 charter actions.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Regents approve each application in accordance with the recommendations contained in the respective summaries.
Timetable for Implementation
N/A
Regents Meeting December 15-16, 2008
CHARTERS
CULTURAL EDUCATION
ABSOLUTE CHARTER IN THE FIRST INSTANCE
1. Penfield Homestead Museum, Crown Point
AMENDMENT OF CHARTERS
2. Amenia Historical Society, Amenia
3. Amsterdam Free Library, Amsterdam
4. Catskill Watershed Partnership Museum, Highmount
5. The Community Library, Cobleskill
6. Didymus Thomas Library, Remsen
7. Dodge Library, Chazy
8. Earlville Free Library, Earlville
9. Hendrick Hudson Free Library, Montrose
10. North castle Public Library, Armonk
11. Redwood Historical Society, Redwood
12. Sloatsburg Public Library, Sloatsburg
13. Tuxedo Park Library, Tuxedo
14. WSKG Public Telecommunications Council, Binghamton
PROVISIONAL CHARTERS
15. Drowned Lands Historical Society, Pine Island
16. Holland Masonic Historical Society, New York City
17. The Matilda Joslyn Gage Center, Fayetteville
EXTENSION OF CHARTERS
18. Historical Society of Islip Hamlet, Islip
19. Ithaca Clock Museum, Ithaca
20. North Tonawanda History Museum, North Tonawanda
21. Taylor Historical Society, Cincinnatus
ORDER OF CONSOLIDATIONS
22. The Matilda Joslyn Gage Center and Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation, Inc., Fayetteville
23. Penfield Homestead Museum and Penfield Foundation, Inc., Crown Point
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
24. Mid-Hudson Antislavery History Project, Poughkeepsie
l. CULTURAL EDUCATION
ABSOLUTE CHARTER IN THE FIRST INSTANCE
No. 1
PENFIELD HOMESTEAD MUSEUM
Crown Point, Essex County
The board of trustees has petitioned the Board of Regents to form a corporation to own, maintain and preserve the Penfield Homestead, Ironville Church, Parsonage and outbuildings in the hamlet of Ironville, Town of Crown Point, County of Essex, as museums open to the public; to interpret hamlet and regional history including the contributions of the Penfield family and development of the early iron industry; to own, preserve and maintain natural areas for public benefit; to collect, own, hold, maintain, preserve and make available appropriate historical objects and artifacts; to arrange, create, maintain and promote appropriate historical exhibits and displays; to establish and maintain for public use a historical research collection, genealogy collection and archives; to promote and support historical research and scholarship, issue publications in any format, and organize historical and cultural activities, programs and events for the public. The Office of Cultural Education recommends that an absolute charter in the first instance be granted.
AMENDMENT OF CHARTERS
No. 2
AMENIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Amenia, Dutchess County
A provisional charter was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents on September 26, 1969 to operate a historical society. Such provisional was extended by Regents action on November 15, 1973 and made absolute on February 24, 1977. The board of trustees has applied for an amendment to the provisional charter to add the language necessary to maintain tax-exempt status under Internal Revenue Code §501(c)(3). The Office of Cultural Education recommends that the absolute charter be amended accordingly.
No. 3
AMSTERDAM FREE LIBRARY
Amsterdam, Montgomery County
An absolute charter in the first instance was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents on May 8, 1902 to operate a library. Such absolute charter was amended by Regents action on March 26, 1993. The board of trustees has applied for an amendment to the absolute charter to designate the service area of library to be the City of and Town of Amsterdam and to specify the number of trustees to be not less than five nor more than fifteen. The Office of Cultural Education recommends that the absolute charter be amended accordingly.
No. 4
CATSKILL WATERSHED PARTNERSHIP MUSEUM
Highmount, Ulster County
A provisional charter was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents on December 15, 2000 to operate a museum. The board of trustees has applied for an amendment to the provisional charter to change the corporate name to the “Catskill Water Discovery Center” and, as so amended, be extended. The Office of Cultural Education recommends that the provisional charter be amended accordingly and, as so amended, extended for a period of five years to allow the corporation additional time to develop its programs and otherwise demonstrate that it can meet the requirements for an absolute charter.
No. 5
THE COMMUNITY LIBRARY
Cobleskill, Schoharie County
A provisional charter was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents on October 6, 1999 to operate a library. Such provisional charter was made absolute by Regents action on October 7, 2005. The board of trustees has applied for an amendment to the absolute charter to specify the number of trustees to be not less than five nor more than fifteen. The Office of Cultural Education recommends that the absolute charter be amended accordingly.
No. 6
DIDYMUS THOMAS LIBRARY
Remsen, Oneida County
An absolute charter in the first instance was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents on December 21, 1899 to operate a library. Such absolute charter was amended by Regents action on December 16, 1994. The board of trustees has applied for an amendment to the absolute charter to designate the service area of library to be the Village of Remsen, New York. The Office of Cultural Education recommends that the absolute charter be amended accordingly.
No. 7
DODGE LIBRARY
Chazy,Clinton County
A provisional charter was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents on October 20, 2008 to operate a library. It is requested that the Regents clarify their approval of the library’s purposes to specify the corporate purposes are to operate a public library to serve the residents of the Dodge Library District as established in Chapter 646 of the Laws of 2006 to consist of town of Chazy, Clinton County, except the portion of the town of Chazy which is located in the Chazy Union Free School District and to delete the incorrect reference to the corporate purposes in the October 20, 2008 provisional charter. The Office of Cultural Education recommends that the Regents approval be clarified accordingly.
No. 8
EARLVILLE FREE LIBRARY
Earlville, Madison County
A provisional charter was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents on September 19, 1919 to operate a library. Such provisional charter was made absolute by Regents action on February 17, 1927 and amended on October 18, 1985. The board of trustees has applied for an amendment to the absolute charter to designate the library’s service area to be the Village of Earlville, to designate the Commissioner of Education as agent of the corporation upon whom process in any action or proceeding against it may be served, and to add the language necessary to maintain tax-exempt status under Internal Revenue Code §501(c)(3). The Office of Cultural Education recommends that the absolute charter be amended accordingly.
No. 9
HENDRICK HUDSON FREE LIBRARY
Montrose, Westchester County
A provisional charter was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents on May 20, 1938 to operate a library. Such provisional charter was extended by Regents action on September 17, 1943; made absolute on February 25, 1949 and amended on May 20, 1988. The board of trustees has applied for an amendment to the absolute charter to specify the library’s service area to be the Hendrick Hudson Central School District and to specify the number of trustees to be not less than seven nor more than eleven. The Office of Cultural Education recommends that the absolute charter be amended accordingly.
No. 10
NORTH CASTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Armonk, Westchester County
A provisional charter was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents on January 24, 1963 to operate a library. Such provisional charter was made absolute by Regents action on September 27, 1968. The board of trustees has applied for an amendment to the absolute charter to specify the number of trustees to be not less than five nor more than nine. The Office of Cultural Education recommends that the absolute charter be amended accordingly.
No. 11
REDWOOD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Redwood, Jefferson County
A provisional charter was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents on June 17, 2003 to operate a historical society. The board of trustees has applied for an amendment to the provisional charter to change the corporate address to Redwood Bank Building, Route 37, Redwood, New York with a mailing address of PO Box 663, Redwood, New York 13679 and, as so amended, be extended. The Office of Cultural Education recommends that the provisional charter be amended accordingly and, as so amended, extended for a period of five years to allow the corporation additional time to develop its programs and otherwise demonstrate that it can meet the requirements for an absolute charter.
No. 12
SLOATSBURG PUBLIC LIBRARY
Sloatsburg, Rockland County
A provisional charter was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents on September 25, 1980 to operate a library. Such provisional charter was made absolute by Regents action on March 21, 1986 and amended on May 24, 1991. The board of trustees has applied for an amendment to the absolute charter to specify the number of trustees to be not less than five nor more than fifteen. The Office of Cultural Education recommends that the absolute charter be amended accordingly.
No. 13
TUXEDO PARK LIBRARY
Tuxedo, Orange County
An absolute charter in the first instance was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents on December 19, 1901 to operate a library. The board of trustees has applied for an amendment to the absolute charter to define the service area of the library to be the Town of Tuxedo, to designate the Commissioner of Education as agent of the corporation upon whom process in any action or proceeding against it may be served, and to add the language necessary to maintain tax-exempt status under Internal Revenue Code §501(c)(3). The Office of Cultural Education recommends that the absolute charter be amended accordingly.
No. 14
WSKG PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS COUNCIL
Binghamton, Broome County
An absolute charter in the first instance was granted to this corporation under the corporate name “Southern Tier Educational Television Association Incorporated” by action of the Board of Regents on June 23, 1961 to operate a non-commercial educational television station and/or radio station or to provide educational television programs and/or radio programs. Such absolute charter was amended by Regents action on June 20, 1986 to change the corporate name to “WSKG Public Telecommunications Council.” The board of trustees has applied to amend and restate the charter in its entirety which will restate the corporate purposes to authorize the corporation to create, operate, maintain, coordinate and improve public broadcasting and communication activities by any technology now or hereafter known, and for such purposes as the Chief Executive Officer is authorized to make application to the Federal Communications Commission and other federal, state or other governmental agencies or units as appropriate; specify the corporate address to be 601 Gates Road, Vestal, New York, with a mailing address of PO Box 3000 Binghamton, New York 13902-3000; add language necessary to maintain tax-exempt status under Internal Revenue code §501(c)(3); and designate the Commissioner of Education as the agent for the purpose of service of process. The Office of Cultural Education recommends that the absolute charter be amended and restated accordingly.
PROVISIONAL CHARTERS
No. 15
DROWNED LANDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Pine Island, Orange County
The board of trustees has petitioned the Board of Regents to form a corporation to preserve the cultural and natural heritage of the hamlets of Pine Island, Little York, and the surrounding Black Dirt region; to collect and preserve artifacts and documents relating to this heritage; to educate the public about this heritage through exhibits, publications, and educational programs; to secure funding for the preservation of our collections and maintaining our educational programs, to engage the community’s participation in the preservation of this legacy; to cooperate with the Historical Society of the Town of Warwick and any other historical society in the Black Dirt Region of the Wallkill River in projects and activities of mutual interest; to cooperate with county and state officials and historical organizations to collect and preserve materials of countywide and statewide significance. The Office of Cultural Education recommends that a provisional charter be granted for a period of five years.
No. 16
HOLLAND MASONIC HISTORICAL SOCIETY
New York City, New York County
The board of trustees has petitioned the Board of Regents to form a corporation to promote and encourage study, research, public awareness and appreciation of the impact upon the history of New York, the City and State, and the influence thereon of distinguished Americans of both Dutch and other descent who were Masons and involved in the founding of the Colony later to be known as New York; to acquire by purchase, gift, devise, loan or otherwise, the title to or custody and control of historic sites, structures, artifacts, materials, books and literature, and the like, and to preserve and maintain the same. The Office of Cultural Education recommends that a provisional charter be granted for a period of five years.
No. 17
THE MATILDA JOSLYN GAGE CENTER
Fayetteville, Onondaga County
The board of trustees has petitioned the Board of Regents to form a museum to promote an increased understanding of the life, work and times of Matilda Joslyn Gage (1826-1898) to educate current and future generations about Gage's work and its power to drive contemporary social change, making her work relevant today; to own, establish, maintain and preserve the Matilda Joslyn Gage home in the village of Fayetteville, County of Onondaga, as an historic house museum relating to and interpreting the life of Gage, and open it to the public on a regular schedule; to collect, own, hold, maintain, preserve and make available appropriate historical objects and artifacts; to arrange, create, maintain and promote appropriate historical exhibits and displays; to establish and maintain an historical reference and research center and appropriate materials; to promote and support historical research and scholarship, issue publications in any format, and organize historical and cultural activities, programs and events for the public. The Office of Cultural Education recommends that a provisional charter be granted for a period of five years.
EXTENSION OF PROVISIONAL CHARTERS
No. 18
HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF ISLIP HAMLET
Islip, Suffolk County
A provisional charter was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents on June 25, 1993 to operate a historical society. Such provisional charter was extended by Regents action on September 15, 2000. The board of trustees has applied for an extension of the provisional charter. The Office of Cultural Education recommends that the provisional charter be extended for a period of five years to allow the corporation additional time to develop its programs and otherwise demonstrate that it can meet the requirements for an absolute charter.
No. 19
ITHACA CLOCK MUSEUM
Ithaca, Tompkins County
A provisional charter was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents on February 11, 2003 to operate a museum. The board of trustees has applied for an extension of the provisional charter. The Office of Cultural Education recommends that the provisional charter be extended for a period of five years to allow the corporation additional time to develop its programs and otherwise demonstrate that it can meet the requirements for an absolute charter.
No. 20
NORTH TONAWANDA HISTORY MUSEUM
North Tonawanda, Niagara County
A provisional charter was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents on April 20, 2004 to operate a museum. The board of trustees has applied for an extension of the provisional charter. The Office of Cultural Education recommends that the provisional charter be extended for a period of five years to allow the corporation additional time to develop its programs and otherwise demonstrate that it can meet the requirements for an absolute charter.
No. 21
TAYLOR HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Cincinnatus, Cortland County
A provisional charter was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents on February 11, 2003 to operate a historical society. The board of trustees has applied for an extension of the provisional charter. The Office of Cultural Education recommends that the provisional charter be extended for a period of five years to allow the corporation additional time to develop its programs and otherwise demonstrate that it can meet the requirements for an absolute charter.
ORDER OF CONSOLIDATIONS
No. 22
THE MATILDA JOSLYN GAGE CENTER and MATILDA JOSLYN GAGE FOUNDATION, INC.
Fayetteville, Onondaga County
The board of trustees and the board of directors have petitioned the Board of Regents, pursuant to Education Law §223, for an order of consolidation of The Matilda Joslyn Gage Center and Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation, Inc. The Matilda Joslyn Gage Center has petitioned the Board of Regents for a provisional charter. The Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation, Inc. was incorporated under §402 of the Not-For-Profit Corporation Law (NPCL) on March 3, 2000. Upon the effective date of the consolidation of The Matilda Joslyn Gage Center and Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation, Inc. The Matilda Joslyn Gage Center will assume all the assets, liabilities and responsibilities of both organizations. The consolidated corporation will operate under the provisional charter granted to The Matilda Joslyn Gage Center. The Office of Cultural Education recommends that an order of consolidation of The Matilda Joslyn Gage Center and Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation, Inc., be granted, forming The Matilda Joslyn Gage Center.
No. 23
PENFIELD HOMESTEAD MUSEUM and PENFIELD FOUNDATION, INC.
Crown Point, Essex County
The board of trustees and the board of directors have petitioned the Board of Regents, pursuant to Education Law §223, for an order of consolidation of Penfield Homestead Museum and Penfield Foundation, Inc. The Penfield Homestead Museum has petitioned the Board of Regents for an absolute charter in the first instance. The Penfield Foundation, Inc. was incorporated under §402 of the Not-For-Profit Corporation Law (NPCL) on May 17, 1967. Upon the effective date of the consolidation of Penfield Homestead Museum and Penfield Foundation, Inc., Penfield Homestead Museum will assume all the assets, liabilities and responsibilities of both organizations. The consolidated corporation will operate under the absolute charter granted to Penfield Homestead Museum. The Office of Cultural Education recommends that an order of consolidation of Penfield Homestead Museum and Penfield Foundation, Inc., be granted, forming Penfield Homestead Museum.
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
No. 24
MID-HUDSON ANTISLAVERY HISTORY PROJECT
Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County
The board of trustees has petitioned the Board of Regents to form a corporation to organize for the non-business purpose of conducting research regarding the history of the anti-slavery movement in the Mid-Hudson Valley, with special emphasis on the Underground Railroad, and to synthesize and interpret this history for the benefit of the general public. The corporation is not authorized to operate or maintain a library, archives or museum, or to own or hold collections. The Office of Cultural Education recommends that a certificate of incorporation be issued.
Regents Meeting
December 15-16, 2008
CHARTERS
ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, SECONDARY AND CONTINUING EDUCATION
ABSOLUTE CHARTER
1. Al-Iman School, Jamaica
AMENDMENT OF CHARTERS
2. Imagine Academy, Brooklyn
3. The Ross School, East Hampton
PROVISIONAL CHARTERS
4. Blue Man Creativity Center School, New York City
5. The Brooklyn Waldorf School, Brooklyn
6. Cambria School of Excellence, Cambria Heights
TERMINATION OF CHARTER
7. The Brooklyn Waldorf School, Brooklyn
DISSOLUTION OF CHARTER
8. Susquehanna School, Binghamton
ll. ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, SECONDARY AND CONTINUING EDUCATION
ABSOLUTE CHARTER
No. 1
AL-IMAN SCHOOL
Jamaica, Queens County
A provisional charter was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents on January 12, 2004 to operate a pre-kindergarten, a kindergarten and a grade one through twelve school. The board of trustees has applied for an absolute charter. The Office of Nonpublic School Services recommends that the provisional charter be made absolute.
AMENDMENT OF CHARTERS
No. 2
IMAGINE ACADEMY
Brooklyn, Kings County
A provisional charter was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents on July 21, 2005 to operate a kindergarten through grade twelve school for children from five through twenty-one years of age diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, pervasive development disorder, and/or Aspergers syndrome. The board of trustees has applied for an amendment to the provisional charter to add authority for the corporation to operate a preschool program for children between the ages of three and five years who evidence the characteristics of an autism spectrum disorder, pervasive developmental disorder, or Asperger’s disorder; and to provide residential, programmatic and waiver support services for mentally retarded and developmentally disabled individuals. The corporation shall not use any titles or terms restricted under Title VIII of the State Education Law, including, but not limited to, the following: medicine, physician, physician assistant, psychologist, psychology, psychological, licensed master social worker, licensed clinical social worker, licensed mental health counselor, licensed psychoanalyst, licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed creative arts therapist, occupational therapist, registered nurse, nurse practitioner, licensed practical nurse or physical therapist. The corporation shall not engage in the practice of any profession restricted under Title VIII of the State Education Law, in particular, the professions of medicine, psychology, licensed master social worker, licensed clinical social worker, nursing, licensed creative arts therapist, licensed psychoanalysis, licensed marriage and family therapist and licensed mental health counselor, physical therapy, or occupational therapy, unless authorized to do so under an operating certificate or license by an appropriate State, regional or local governmental agency. The corporation shall restrict the provision of counseling services to instruction, advice, support, encouragement or information to individuals, families, and relational groups, provided that this shall not include the diagnosis or treatment of mental, emotional, nervous, or behavioral disorders, unless authorized to do so under an operating certificate or license by an appropriate State, regional or local governmental agency. The Office of Nonpublic School Services recommends that the provisional charter be amended accordingly and, as so amended, extended for a period of three years to allow the corporation additional time to develop its programs and otherwise demonstrate that it can meet the requirements for an absolute charter.
No. 3
THE ROSS SCHOOL
East Hampton, Suffolk County
A provisional charter was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents on July 23, 1993 to operate a school. Such provisional charter was amended and extended by Regents action on September 20, 1996 and made absolute on September 15, 2000. Such absolute charter was consolidated by Regents action on May 23, 2006 with an effective date of September 1, 2006 with the Morriss Center School, an education corporation, with The Ross School being the surviving corporation. The board of trustees has applied for an amendment to the absolute charter to restate the corporate purposes to state the following: a) to establish, operate and maintain a nursery school program for preschool children from two to five years of age, elementary, middle and high school programs serving grades Kindergarten through 12, and a grade thirteen post graduate program. Nothing herein or in paragraph d shall authorize the corporation to operate or maintain a college, university or to advertise or offer credit-bearing courses or degrees in New York State; b) to establish, operate and maintain a residence hall for students from other communities, states and countries, in order to facilitate enrollment by both day scholars and boarding students; c) to establish, operate and maintain supplemental, non-credit programs and services for the education, recreation and general welfare of the community-at-large, including but not limited to courses in education, pedagogy, technology, fine and performing arts, sciences and humanities, wellness and sports; and to make available in connection therewith, the academic and athletic facilities of the school, at such times when such facilities are not in use for school purposes, or at times when the school is in use for school purposes if, in the opinion of the board of trustees, such use will not be disruptive of normal school operations; d) to establish, operate and maintain programs and services for the professional development of teachers, including providing programs to teachers to fulfill their continuing education requirements required by New York State law. The Office of Nonpublic School Services recommends that the absolute charter be amended accordingly.
PROVISIONAL CHARTERS
No. 4
THE BLUE MAN CREATIVITY CENTER SCHOOL
New York City, New York County
The board of trustees has petitioned the Board of Regents to form a corporation to operate a nursery school for preschool children from three to five years of age, a kindergarten for five year olds and a grades one through eight elementary school. The Office of Nonpublic School Services recommends that a provisional charter be granted for a period of three years.
No. 5
THE BROOKLYN WALDORF SCHOOL
Brooklyn, Kings County
The board of trustees has petitioned the Board of Regents to form a corporation to operate to a nursery school, kindergarten and grade one through eight elementary school. The Office of Nonpublic School Services recommends that a provisional charter be granted for a period of three years.
No. 6
CAMBRIA SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE
Cambria Heights, Queens County
The board of trustees has petitioned the Board of Regents to form a corporation to operate a grades six through eight middle school. The Office of Nonpublic School Services recommends that a provisional charter be granted for a period of three years.
TERMINATION OF CHARTER
No. 7
THE BROOKLYN WALDORF SCHOOL
Brooklyn, Kings County
This corporation was granted a provisional charter by action of the Board of Regents on April 29, 1992 to establish and support a nursery school for children from three to five years of age, a kindergarten for five year olds and grades one through three elementary school based on the Waldorf approach as set forth by Rudolf Steiner. The provisional charter expired on April 29, 1995. On March 2, 2004 the Office of Nonpublic School Services advised the corporation’s last known board of trustees in writing that, absent the required petition to extend or make absolute its provisional charter, the Education Department would begin the procedure to rescind said provisional charter. Upon failure of the corporation to submit a petition to extend or make absolute its provisional charter and in accordance with the provisions of Education Law section 217 and upon the recommendation of the Office of Nonpublic School Services, it is recommended that the provisional charter granted to The Brooklyn Waldorf School on April 29, 1992 be terminated.
DISSOLUTION OF CHARTER
No. 8
SUSQUEHANNA SCHOOL
Binghamton, Broome County
A provisional charter was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents on December 19, 1970 to operate an elementary school. Such provisional charter was made absolute by Regents action on June 28, 1974. The board of trustees has requested that the Board of Regents consent to allow the corporation to petition for judicial dissolution. The Office of Nonpublic School Services recommends that such consent be granted.